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Abstract:

A handheld electronic device and an associated method are provided. The
handheld electronic device includes a keyboard assembly, a display
positioned adjacent the keyboard assembly, a processor structured to
receive inputs from the keyboard assembly and to output to the display as
a function of the inputs, the processor further structured to run a
disambiguation routine. The keyboard assembly includes a printed circuit
board, a primary conductor portion, a secondary conductor portion, and a
keyboard assembly. The printed circuit board has a plurality of
electrical contacts. The conductor assembly has a plurality of primary
conductors and a plurality of secondary conductors, each the primary
conductor and secondary conductor structured to correspond to, and engage
and close, at least one of the plurality of electrical contacts. The
keyboard assembly has a plurality of keys each having one or more indicia
thereon.

Claims:

1. A method of enabling input into an electronic device comprising:
detecting a first input from a first key, having a plurality of indicia,
a primary conductor, and a secondary conductor associated therewith;
determining whether the first input is based on the secondary conductor
associated with one of the plurality of indicia on the first key;
outputting a list of characters corresponding to indicia on the first
key, wherein the one of the plurality of indicia associated with the
secondary conductor is placed first in the list of characters, when it is
determined that the first input is based the secondary conductor .

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising: detecting
rotation of a dial; providing an output corresponding to said rotation
that includes an indication highlighting one of combined characters on
the list.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising executing a
disambiguation routine on a processor of the electronic device.

4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein when it is determined that
the first input is based on the secondary conductor, the disambiguation
routine assigns additional weight to the indicia corresponding to the
indicia associated with the secondary conductor of the first key.

5. The method as recited in claim 3, further comprising detecting a
second input from a second key having a plurality of indicia, a primary
conductor, and a secondary conductor associated therewith; determining
whether the second input is based on the secondary conductor associated
with one of the plurality of indicia on the second key; assigning
additional weight to the one of a plurality of indicia on the second key,
when it was determined that the second input is based on the secondary
conductor of the second key.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, further comprising utilizing the
disambiguation routine to propose a likely combination of characters
selected from the plurality of indicia of the first and second input
keys; outputting a list of combined characters weighted to include
characters corresponding to the indicia associated with the secondary
conductor of the first key and second key, when the first input is based
on the secondary conductor of the first key and the second input is based
on the secondary conductor of the second key.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, further comprising: detecting
rotation of a dial; providing an output corresponding to said rotation
that includes an indication highlighting one set of combined characters
on the list.

8. The method as recited in claim 5, further comprising utilizing the
disambiguation routine to propose a likely combination of characters
selected from the plurality of indicia of the first and second input
keys; outputting a list of combined characters weighted to include
characters corresponding to the indicia associated with the secondary
conductor of the first key, when the first input is based on the
secondary conductor of the first key.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising: detecting
rotation of a dial; providing an output corresponding to said rotation
that includes an indication highlighting one set of combined characters
on the list.

10. The method as recited in claim 5, further comprising utilizing the
disambiguation routine to propose a likely combination of characters
selected from the plurality of indicia of the first and second input
keys; outputting a list of combined characters weighted to include
characters corresponding to the indicia associated with the secondary
conductor of the second key, when the second input is based on the
secondary conductor of the second key.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising: detecting
rotation of a dial; providing an output corresponding to said rotation
that includes an indication highlighting one set of combined characters
on the list.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising: determining
whether the first input is based on electrical connection of a tertiary
conductor of the first key, wherein the tertiary conductor corresponds to
indicia of the first key.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, further comprising executing a
disambiguation routine on a processor of the electronic device.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising assigning
additional weight to a character corresponding to indicia associated with
the secondary conductor or the tertiary conductor, when it has been
determined that the first input resulted from one of the secondary
conductor or tertiary conductor.

15. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising detecting a
second input from a second key having a plurality of indicia, a primary
conductor, a secondary conductor, and a tertiary conductor associated
therewith; determining whether the second input is based on the secondary
conductor or the tertiary conductor each associated with one of the
plurality of indicia on the second key; assigning additional weight to
the one of a plurality of indicia on the second key, when it was
determined that the second input is based on one of the secondary
conductor or the tertiary conductor of the second key.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising utilizing the
disambiguation routine to propose a likely combination of characters
selected from the plurality of indicia of the first and second input
keys; outputting a list of combined characters weighted to include
characters corresponding to the indicia associated with the secondary
conductor or the tertiary conductor of the first key and second key, when
the first input is based on the secondary conductor or the tertiary
conductor of the first key and the second input is based on the secondary
conductor or tertiary conductor of the second key.

17. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising utilizing the
disambiguation routine to propose a likely combination of characters
selected from the plurality of indicia of the first and second input
keys; outputting a list of combined characters weighted to include
characters corresponding to the indicia associated with the secondary
conductor or the tertiary conductor of the first key, when the first
input is based on the secondary conductor or the tertiary conductor of
the first key.

18. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising utilizing the
disambiguation routine to propose a likely combination of characters
selected from the plurality of indicia of the first and second input
keys; outputting a list of combined characters weighted to include
characters corresponding to the indicia associated with the secondary
conductor or the tertiary conductor of the second key, when the second
input is based on the secondary conductor or tertiary conductor of the
second key.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This application relates to handheld electronic devices and, more
particularly, to a keyboard for a handheld electronic device having a
first set of keys structured to engage two contacts and a second set of
keys structured to engage a single contact and wherein each key in said
first set of keys and said second set of keys is related to two indicia.

[0003] 2. Background Information

[0004] Numerous types of handheld electronic devices are known. Examples
of such handheld electronic devices include, for instance, personal data
assistants (PDAs), handheld computers, two-way pagers, cellular
telephones, and the like. Such handheld electronic devices are generally
intended to be portable and thus must be relatively small. Since handheld
electronic devices typically are portable, it is also desired that the
form factor of the devices be sufficiently small and ergonomic that they
can conveniently be transported with a belt clip, in a user's pocket,
manually, or in a briefcase. Advancements in technology have permitted
the form factor of such handheld electronic devices to be reduced while
increasing their versatility and functionality, such as by increasing the
number of functions provided by the device as well as increasing the
number of software applications and the variety of their features.
However, as the form factor of a handheld electronic device decreases and
the number of functions provided by the device increases, the device
potentially can become awkward and difficult to use. Thus, it is also
desirable to improve the usability of a handheld electronic device, as
its form factor is reduced and its versatility is increased. Previous
attempts to increase such usability have had limitations.

[0005] One such type of solution has involved the use of large numbers of
keys which, when pressed in various combinations, would produce various
functions. For instance, adjacent keys were depressed simultaneously to
provide additional functions. In mobile electronics, keys oftentimes are
operatively connected with metal domes that act as switches for the keys
and that are collapsible and provide tactile feedback to a user when the
domes are collapsed from a relaxed position to a deflected position. Due
to the closeness of the keys, accidental simultaneous pressing of
multiple keys oftentimes results in the collapsing of multiple domes,
which can result in a confusing and/or undesirable tactile feedback to a
user. Other attempts at improving usability have involved decreasing the
quantity of keys on a handheld device while increasing the number of
functions each key is to serve. Such systems potentially can become
cumbersome because the various functions of a given key may additionally
require the pressing of an additional key, such as, but not limited to,
the SHIFT key or ALT key. In such a circumstance, the required multiple
key pushing requires multiple hand movements which interfere with user
friendliness.

[0006] It is also desirable to provide users with keys disposed in a
common pattern. For example, an English language keyboard typically has
the QWERTY layout, Thus, handheld electronic devices having a QWERTY
keyboard with a reduced number of keys have been created. Such devices
typically have more that one letter associated with most keys. For
example, a single key on the QWERTY keyboard with a reduced number of
keys would represent both the letter "A" and the letter "S". Thus, the
handheld electronic device needed to provide a means for selecting which
letter the user intended to select When the key was depressed. An early
differentiating means simply had the user depressing the key once for one
letter and twice for the other letter. Alternatively, as described above,
a combination of keys could be associated with one letter and not the
other. That is, for example, the key by itself was associated with the
letter "A" and the key plus the ALT key was associated with the letter
"S." The disadvantage to these means is that users of a QWERTY keyboard
prefer to type in a traditional manner, i.e., without having to depress
an extra key.

[0007] One means of addressing this disadvantage was provided by software.
Disambiguation routines were created that suggested one of the letters
based on, for example, a subsequent keystroke. That is, if the user had
selected the letters "QU" and the next key depressed was the "A/S" key,
the software would suggest the use of the letter "A" because the letter
combination "QU" is almost always followed by a vowel. Such software
solution would typically provide the user with a list of the less
preferred letter combinations which the user could select if desired.
This means was further improved by providing three conductors, a primary,
secondary and tertiary conductor, under each key and Which were operable
with the software, The primary conductor was engaged when the key was
depressed. The secondary and tertiary conductors were disposed adjacent
to opposing lateral sides of the keys and were alternately closed when
the user depressed one side of the key or the other. Thus, where the
letter "A" was located on the left side of a single key, and the
secondary conductor was located under the left lateral side of the key,
when a user depressed the "A/S" key and pressed on the left side of the
key, the primary conductor was engaged indicating the key had been
depressed and, if the secondary conductor was depressed, the software
would weigh, that is favor, the letter "A" over the letter "S".

[0008] This solution, however, has disadvantages as well. For example,
some keys may only be associated with a single letter thereby making the
secondary and tertiary conductors redundant. Also, some keys, such as a
"Z/X" key have letters that are so relatively uncommon in use that the
software could reliably choose the proper letter the user intended to
use. Again, the secondary and tertiary conductors were essentially
wasted. Additionally, where each key was structured to overlay three
conductors, all keys were elongated resulting in a wider keypad.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] These disadvantages are overcome by the present invention which
provides a keyboard structured to be incorporated into a handheld
electronic device and a method of enabling input into a handheld
electronic device having a first set of elongated keys structured to
engage at least two electrical contacts and a second set of keys
structured to engage a single contact. There is a cost savings associated
with reducing the number of metal domes required and the keyboard may be
more narrow that the prior art keyboard given that only selected keys are
elongated.

[0010] The first set of keys are elongated in a lateral direction and, in
one embodiment, are structured to engage a primary contact, a secondary
contact and a tertiary contact. The secondary contact and tertiary
contact are disposed under the lateral sides of the keys in the first
group. Thus, when one side of a key in the first group is pressed, both
the primary contact and either the secondary contact or tertiary contact
is depressed. The keyboard is coupled to a processor running a
disambiguation routine. When the secondary contact or tertiary contact is
engaged, the indicia associated with that contact is favored, or
weighted, in the disambiguation routine. The program subsequently causes
a list of indicia combinations to be displayed with the favored
combinations at the top of the list.

[0011] The method of interacting with such a keyboard includes the steps
of detecting a first input from a key on the keypad, determining whether
the first input resulted from engaging a secondary conductor, and
outputting a list of indicia corresponding to the indicia on the key and,
where a secondary conductor was engaged, favoring outputting the indicia
corresponding to the indicia associated with the secondary conductor by
placing the indicia corresponding to the indicia associated with the
secondary conductor on the top of the list.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the
following description of the preferred embodiments when read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an improved handheld electronic device
in accordance with the invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a keyboard in accordance with the
invention;

[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the keyboard of FIG. 2;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the primary conductor portion of the
keyboard of FIG. 2;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the secondary conductor portion of the
keyboard of FIG. 2;

[0018] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the spacer of the keyboard of FIG. 2;

[0019] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the printed circuit board of the
keyboard of FIG. 2;

[0020] FIG. 7A is a bottom plan view of the printed circuit board of the
keyboard of FIG. 2;

[0021] FIG. 8 is a sectional view as taken along Line 8-8 of FIG. 2 and
depicting a key from the first set of the keyboard in an initial
position;

[0022] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, except depicting the key in the
first terminal position;

[0023] FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 8, except depicting the key in
the second terminal position;

[0024] FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 8, except depicting the key in
the third terminal position;

[0025] FIG. 12 is a sectional view depicting a key from the second set of
the keyboard in an initial position;

[0026] FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12, except depicting the key in
the first terminal position;

[0027] FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the steps of the disclosed method;
and

[0030] As used herein, the word "assigned" when used in association with
indicia on a key indicates that the indicia is printed on a key and that
the processor/software is programmed to associate the indicia with key
having the indicia printed thereon.

[0031] As used herein the words "indicia" and "character" indicates any
language element such as, but not limited to, a letter, number, ideogram,
a space, or punctuation mark. For the sake of differentiation, "indicia"
is used in relation to a fixed mark on a key and "character" is used in
relation to an image created on a display.

[0032] A handheld electronic device 10 is shown schematically in FIG. 1.
Generally, the handheld electronic device 10 includes a keyboard assembly
12, a housing assembly 14, an output device. 16, such as but not limited
to, a display 17, and a suitable processor 18 (e.g., without limitation,
a microprocessor) having software 20. The software 20 preferably resides
in the handheld electronic device 10 and provides functionality to inputs
received from the keyboard assembly 12 and provides outputs to the output
device 16. The software 20 further includes a disambiguation routine 21,
as described below. The keyboard assembly 12 and the output device 16 are
disposed on the housing assembly 14, and the operability of the software
20 is enabled by the processor 18. The handheld electronic device 10 may
also include an electronic selection device such as, but not limited to,
a wheel or dial 19. The dial 19 may be engaged by a user and is
structured to provide a selective input corresponding with a rotation of
the dial 19. The dial 19 is in electronic communication with the
processor 18. Examples of handheld electronic devices are included in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,452,588 and 6,489,950, which are incorporated by
reference herein.

[0033] Generally, as described in detail below, the keyboard assembly 12
is structured to be incorporated into the handheld electronic device 10.
The keyboard assembly 12 includes a printed circuit board 78 having a
plurality of electrical contacts 102, 106, a conductor assembly 71 having
a plurality of primary conductors 89, a plurality of secondary conductors
96, a plurality of tertiary conductors 97, and a key pad assembly having
a plurality 30 of keys 32 each having one or more indicia 34 assigned
thereto. Each primary conductor 89 and secondary conductor 96 are
structured to correspond to, and engage and close, at least one of said
plurality of electrical contacts 102, 106. The plurality 30 of keys 32 is
disposed in at least a first set 40 of keys 42 and a second 60 set of
keys 62, wherein at least two keys 42 in the first set 40 are each
coupled to, and structured to engage, a first number of conductors 89,
96, 97 and each key 62 in the second set 60 is coupled to, and structured
to engage, a second number of conductors 89, 96, 97, wherein the first
and second number of conductors 89, 96, 97 is different. For example,
each key 42 in the first set 40 may be coupled to, and structured to
engage, a primary conductor 89 and at least one secondary conductor 96,
and, each key 62 in the second set 60 may be coupled to, and structured
to engage, only a primary conductor 89. Additionally, at least two keys
42 in the first set 40 are each structured to engage at least one
tertiary conductor 97.

[0034] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the exemplary keyboard assembly 12
includes a plurality 30 of keys 32. Each key 32 includes at least one
indicium 34 visible thereon. The plurality 30 of keys 32 includes at
least a first set 40 of keys 42 and a second set 60 of keys 62. Each set
of keys 40, 60 has at least two keys. In addition to other differences,
as will be discussed in more detail below, the keys 42 of the first set
40 have a different shape than the keys 62 of the second set 60.
Preferably, the keys 42 of the first set 40 appear laterally elongated
relative to the keys 62 of the second set 60. The appearance of
elongation may be accomplished by having the keys 42 of the first set 40
being generally rectangular and by having the keys 62 of the second set
60 having a generally square shape. Additionally, the keys 42 of the
first set 40 may be longer in a lateral direction than the keys 62 of the
second set 60. There may also be a third set 66 of keys 68 that, for
reasons set forth below, operate in a manner different than the keys 42,
62 of the first and second sets 40, 60.

[0035] The indicia 34 may be divided into first indicia 35, second indicia
36 and third indicia 37. As shown, many of the exemplary first indicia 35
are digits, and many of the second and third indicia 36 and 37,
respectively, are letters. While not limiting on the claims, but as shown
in FIG. 2 and for the purpose of the following description, the first
indicia 35 are disposed on a key 42, 62, 68 at a location above the
second and third indicia 36 and 37. Further, the second indicia 36 are
disposed on the left side of a key 42, 62 and the third indicia 37 are
disposed on the right side of a key 42, 62, Also, many of the second and
third indicia 36, 37 are in the pattern of a QWERTY keyboard. It is
understood, however, that the arrangement of the indicia 34 can be
different than the exemplary arrangement depicted in FIG. 2. For
instance, the first, second, and third indicia 35, 36 and 37,
respectively, can together form a QWERTY arrangement. Alternately, the
indicia 34 could be numerical or mathematical symbols, could be
characters of different languages, or could be of virtually any other
character and/or keyboard configuration.

[0036] As can be best understood from FIG. 3, the keyboard assembly 12
includes a keypad 70, a conductor assembly 71 having a primary conductor
portion 72 and a secondary conductor portion 74, a spacer 76, and a
printed circuit board 78. The aforementioned components of the keyboard
assembly 12 can be adhered together or otherwise attached to one another,
while in other embodiments the components need not be adhered to one
another in any fashion.

[0037] The keypad 70 includes the aforementioned sets of keys 40, 60, 68
and a key panel 73. The keys 42, 62, 68 are movably disposed on the key
panel 73 and are permitted to pivot slightly with respect thereto.

[0038] The primary conductor portion 72 includes a plurality 80 of
conductive domes 82 disposed on a dome panel 84. The dome panel 84
includes a plurality of primary holes 86 (FIG. 8) formed therein and a
plurality of flexible adhesive members 88 (FIG. 8) disposed on one
surface of the dome panel 84 and positioned adjacent the plurality of
primary holes 86. The domes 82 extend through the plurality of primary
holes 86, and the apex of each dome 82, i.e., the proud portion thereof,
is adhered to one of the adhesive members 88. The circular edge of each
dome 82 opposite the apex thereof protrudes outwardly from and beyond the
associated plurality of primary hole 86. While in the depicted exemplary
embodiment the domes 82 are adhered to the dome panel 84 with the
adhesive members 88, it is understood that in other embodiments the domes
82 and the dome panel 84 may be connected together in other fashions, or
might not be connected together at all, without departing from the
concept of the invention. The domes 82 are elastically deflectable
between a relaxed position, i.e., FIG. 8, and a deflected position, i.e.,
FIGS. 9-11. The movement of the domes 82 between the relaxed and
deflected positions occurs via elastic deformation of the domes 82 and
causes the domes 82 to "snap" between the relaxed and deflected
conditions to provide a desirable tactile feedback. The domes 82 are
positioned to he disposed below an associated key 42, 62, 68. As
assembled, each dome 82 and other associated components acts as a primary
conductor 89.

[0039] The secondary conductor portion 74 includes a plurality of
conductive carbon patches 94 disposed on a flexible support sheet 90. The
support sheet 90 includes a plurality of primary holes 98 formed therein
and positioned to be disposed below an associated key 42, 62, 68. That
is, the primary holes 98 in the support sheet 90 are arranged to
correspond with and be similar to the arrangement of the primary holes 98
in the dome panel 84. In the preferred embodiment, the carbon patches 94
are positioned to be located on each lateral side of a primary hole 98
associated with a key 42 from the first set 40. The carbon patches 94
located to the left side of a secondary conductor portion 74 primary hole
98 is hereinafter a secondary conductor 96 and the carbon patches 94
located to the right side of a secondary conductor portion 74 primary
hole 98 is hereinafter a tertiary conductor 97. It is understood that in
other embodiments the secondary conductor portion 74 could have patches
of a different conductive material, such as a metal or other material,
without departing from the concept of the invention. The support sheet 90
may be a thin plastic sheet, although other configurations are possible.

[0040] It is understood that the primary conductor portion 72 and the
secondary conductor portion 74 can be said to provide switches for the
keys 42, 62, 68, Such switches of the primary conductor portion 72
provide a tactile feedback, and such switches of the secondary conductor
portion 74 generally do not provide tactile feedback, but such switches
could be of other configurations.

[0041] The spacer 76 is a sheet of material that can be generally said to
space the carbon patches 94 away from the printed circuit board 78. The
spacer 76 includes a plurality of circular primary holes 99 arranged in
rows similar to the arrangement of the primary holes 98 in the support
sheet 90 and the primary holes 86 in the dome panel 84. The spacer 76
additionally includes a plurality of elongated secondary holes 101 that
correspond generally with the arrangement of the carbon patches 94 on the
support sheet 90. In the exemplary embodiment, the spacer 76 is a thin
sheet of an insulative material, such as plastic, although configurations
are possible. It is also understood that the keyboard assembly 12
potentially could be configured in other fashions that would eliminate
the need for the spacer 76 but would still be considered. to be within
the scope of the invention.

[0042] As is best shown in FIG. 7, the printed circuit board 78 includes a
plurality 100 of primary contacts 102 and a plurality 104 of secondary
contacts 106. The primary and secondary contacts 102 and 106,
respectively, are electrically conductive electrical contacts which, when
connected with one another, such as with a conductor extending
therebetween, completes a circuit or completes an open portion of a
circuit. The circuits formed by the primary and secondary contacts 102,
106 are in electrical communication with the processor 18. The primary
contacts 102 are, in the depicted exemplary embodiment, arranged in pairs
and specifically include a ball contact 108 and a ring contact 110, with
the ring contact 110 extending concentrically about the ball contact 108.

[0043] The domes 82 (FIG. 8) each also extend through an aligned pair of
the primary holes 98, 99 formed in the support sheet 90 and the spacer
76, respectively. The circular ends of the domes 82 rest on the ring
contacts 110 of the primary contacts 102. The secondary contacts 106 are
arranged in pairs and are generally of an "intermeshed comb" arrangement.
In the exemplary embodiment of the printed circuit board 78 depicted in
FIG. 7 and described herein, certain of the primary contacts 102 are
electrically connected with leads to certain of the secondary contacts
106, and numerous other contact configurations are possible without
departing from the concept of the invention.

[0044] As can be understood from FIGS. 8-11, each key 42 in the first set
40 includes a finger plate 120, a first protrusion 122 in the exemplary
form of a hollow cylinder, a second protrusion 124, and a third
protrusion 126. The finger plate 120 is engageable by a user's finger and
includes the indicia 34 (FIG. 2) disposed thereon. The first, second, and
third protrusions 122, 124, and 126, respectively, extend outwardly away
from the finger plate 120 in a common direction which, in the exemplary
embodiment, is opposite the indicia 34. In the exemplary key 42 of FIGS.
8-11, the free ends of the first, second, and third protrusions 122, 124,
and 126, respectively, do not lie within a plane and may be of
configurations other than that depicted herein, depending upon the
configuration of the other components of the keyboard assembly 12.

[0045] As can further be understood from FIG. 8, each key 42 is associated
with one of the domes 82 and with a pair of the carbon patches 94 (FIG.
3) wherein one carbon patch 94 is a secondary conductor 96 and the other
carbon patch 94 is a tertiary conductor 97. In FIG. 8, the key 42 is in
an initial position which corresponds with the relaxed position of the
associated dome 82 and the relaxed positions of the associated carbon
patches 94. When the key 42 is depressed straight toward the printed
circuit board 78, hereinafter "downwardly," such as is depicted generally
in FIG. 9, and which would correspond with a user pressing the key 42 at
the first indicia 35 (FIG. 2), the first protrusion 122 of the key 42
engages the dome 82 that is associated with the key 42 and elastically
collapses the dome 82 to the deflected position, while the carbon patches
94 associated the dome 82 remain in their relaxed positions. The key 42.
in FIG. 9 is in the first terminal position, and thus it can be seen that
the key 42 is movable between the initial position and the first terminal
position.

[0046] When the dome 82 is in the deflected position, it contacts the ball
contact 108 of the associated pair of primary contacts 102. The domes 82
are primary conductors 89 which, when engaged with a corresponding set of
primary contacts 102, electrically connect together the pair of primary
contacts 102 in order to complete a circuit or to complete an open
portion of a circuit, which provides a first function associated with the
first terminal position of the key 42. The dome 82 is configured to
"snap" when moving between the relaxed position (FIG. 8) and the
deflected position (FIG. 9), and such a "snap" provides a desirable
tactile feedback to the user.

[0047] As can be understood from FIGS. 10 and 11, the key 42 is also
movable between the initial position and the second terminal position,
i.e., FIG. 10, that would correspond with a user pressing the second
indicia 36 (FIG. 2), which provides the key 42 with a second function
associated with the second terminal position of the key 42. The key 42 is
also movable between the initial position and the third terminal
position, i.e., FIG. 11, which would correspond with a user pressing the
third indicia 37 (FIG. 2) of the key 42 to provide the key with a third
function associated with the third terminal position of the key 42.

[0048] When the key 42 is in the second terminal position, i.e., FIG. 10,
the associated dome 82 is in its deflected position, and the secondary
conductor 96 associated with the key 42 is also in its deflected
condition. When the key 42 is in the third terminal position, i.e., FIG.
11, the associated dome 82 is in its deflected position, and the tertiary
conductor 97 associated with the key 42 is also in its deflected
condition. The secondary conductor 96 and tertiary conductor 97 are,
independently, engageable with a pair of the secondary contacts 106 for
the purpose of electrically connecting together the pair of secondary
contacts 106 to complete a circuit or to complete an open portion of a
circuit.

[0049] The secondary conductor 96 and tertiary conductor 97 are mounted on
the support sheet 90 (FIG. 5), which is flexible, and which permits
elastic deflection of the secondary conductor 96 and tertiary conductor
97 between a relaxed position (FIG. 8) and the aforementioned deflected
position (FIGS. 10 and 11). The secondary conductor 96 and tertiary
conductor 97 in the deflected position extend through the associated
secondary holes 101 in the spacer 76 (FIG. 6). In the exemplary
embodiment depicted herein the secondary conductor 96 and tertiary
conductor 97 do not "snap" or otherwise prove a discrete tactile feedback
to the user. Some feedback to the user is acceptable, however, such as
the slight additional finger force required to elastically deflect the
secondary conductor 96 and tertiary conductor 97 between the relaxed and
deflected positions. In other embodiments, the secondary conductor 96 and
tertiary conductor 97 can be configured to provide specific tactile
feedback to the user in moving between the relaxed and deflected
positions without departing from the concept of the invention.

[0050] The key 42 in the second terminal position is pivoted slightly in a
direction away from the first terminal position. In the exemplary
embodiment depicted herein, the second terminal position, i.e., FIG. 10,
is pivoted in a counter-clockwise direction from the first terminal
position, i.e., FIG. 9, from the perspective of FIGS. 9 and 11. When the
key 42 is in the third terminal position, as is depicted in FIG. 11, the
associated dome 82 is in the deflected condition. The key 42 in the third
terminal position is pivoted in a different direction away from the first
terminal position, which direction in the depicted embodiment is a
clockwise direction from the first terminal position, i.e., FIG. 9, from
the perspective of FIGS. 9 and 11.

[0051] When the secondary conductor 96 and tertiary conductor 97 are moved
to their deflected positions, which alternately occur at the second and
third terminal positions of the key 42, the deflected carbon patch 94
engages an associated pair of the secondary contacts 106 and, being a
conductor, electrically connects together the pair of secondary contacts
106. In the embodiment depicted herein, a given pair of the secondary
contacts 106 extends along the printed circuit board 78 adjacent a
plurality of the pairs of primary contacts 102 and, in the depicted
embodiment, the primary contacts 102 of some of the pairs of the primary
contacts 102 lie on opposite sides of the given set of secondary contacts
106. Since, in the depicted exemplary embodiment, a single pair of the
secondary contacts 106 extends past a plurality of pairs of the primary
contacts 102, the single set of secondary contacts 106 serves as the
associated secondary contacts 106 for the first set 40 of keys 42 with
which the adjacent pairs of primary contacts 102 are associated.

[0052] It thus can be seen that each key 42 in the first set 40 of keys 42
is movable between the initial position and a plurality of terminal
positions, i.e., the first, second, and third terminal positions,
depicted in FIGS. 9-11, respectively. The three terminal positions are
associated with the three indicia 35, 36, 37 (FIG. 2) on the keys 42, and
the various engagements of the domes 82, the secondary conductor 96 and
tertiary conductor 97 provide various inputs to the handheld electronic
device 10 and to which the processor 18 and the software 20 provide
functionality, as described below.

[0053] As can be understood from FIGS. 12 and 13, each key 62 in the
second set 60 is substantially similar to the keys 42 of the first set
40, except the keys 62 of the second set 60 are not disposed over a
carbon patch 94 and do not include the second and third protrusions 124,
126 that are structured to engage the carbon patches 94. As each key 62
in the second set 60 is substantially similar to the keys 42 of the first
set 40 like reference numbers will be used to describe the keys 62 of the
second set 60. Thus, each key 62 in the second set 60 includes a finger
plate 120 and a first protrusion 122 in the exemplary form of a hollow
cylinder. The finger plate 120 is engageable by a user's finger and
includes the indicia 34 (FIG. 2) disposed thereon. The first protrusion
122 extends outwardly away from the finger plate 120 which, in the
exemplary embodiment, is opposite the indicia 34.

[0054] As can further be understood from FIG. 12, each key 62 is
associated with one of the domes 82. In FIG. 12, the key 62 is in an
initial position which corresponds with the relaxed position of the
associated dome 82 and the relaxed. positions of the associated carbon
patches 94. When the key 62 is depressed straight toward the printed
circuit board 78, such as is depicted generally in FIG. 13, and which
would correspond with a user pressing the key 62, the first protrusion
122 of the key 62 engages the dome 82 that is associated with the key 62
and elastically collapses the dome 82 to the deflected position. The key
62 in FIG. 13 is in the terminal position, and thus it can be seen that
the key 62 is movable between the initial position and the terminal
position.

[0055] When the dome 82 is in the deflected position, it contacts the ball
contact 108 of the associated pair of primary contacts 102, The domes 82
are primary conductors which, when engaged with a corresponding set of
primary contacts 102, electrically connect together the pair of primary
contacts 102 in order to complete a circuit or to complete an open
portion of a circuit, which provides a first function associated with the
first terminal position of the key 62. The dome 82 is configured to
"snap" when moving between the relaxed position (FIG. 8) and the
deflected position (FIG. 9), and such a "snap" provides a desirable
tactile feedback to the user.

[0056] It thus can he seen that each key 62 in the second set of keys 60
is movable between the initial position and a single terminal position.
The single terminal position is associated with the three indicia 35, 36,
37 (FIG. 2) on the keys 62 and differentiation as to which indicia is
selected by the user is determined by the processor 18 and the software
20 as described below.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment the first and second sets 40,
60 of keys are disposed in a grid having three rows and five columns. In
this embodiment the first set 40 of keys includes the keys 42 located at
the first row, second and fourth columns, the second row, first, third,
and fifth columns, and the third row, second and fourth columns and the
second set 60 of keys includes the keys 62 located at the first row,
first, third, and fifth columns, the second row, second and fourth
columns, and the third row, first, third, and fifth columns. To have the
QWERTY pattern, the key in the first row and first column includes the
letters "Q" and "W." The remaining keys 42, 62 generally have two letters
of the alphabet thereon with the exceptions of the key 62 located at the
second row, fourth column which has the single letter "J" thereon, and
the key 62 at the third row, third column which has the single letter "B"
thereon. In this configuration the key 62 located at the third row, fifth
column does not have a letter associated with it and may he used as a
function key, e.g. a "delete" and/or "backspace" key. Additionally, the
"space" key is one of the keys in the third set 66 of keys preferably
located below the first and second 40, 60 sets of keys. In this
configuration, the first indicia 35, that is, the numbers, may be laid
out in a centralized telephone keypad pattern. A telephone keypad pattern
has a three by three grid for numbers one to nine and a single lower key
for the zero key. The number one is located in the upper left of the
grid. Thus, when disposed on the keyboard assembly 12 as shown in FIG. 2,
the number one is on the key 42 located at the first row, second column.
Further, the zero may be located on the "space" key.

[0058] In operation, the processor 18 utilizes the input from the keyboard
assembly 12 to provide an output to the display 17. The speed of creating
a message including text corresponding to the indicia 34 is enhanced by
the disambiguation routine 21 and the input created by the primary
conductors 89, the secondary conductors 96 and the tertiary conductors
97. The disambiguation routine 21 is structured to select likely letter
combinations, i.e., letter combinations that create known words, as is
known in the art. The functionality of the disambiguation routine 21 is
enhanced by the additional input created by the secondary conductors 96
and the tertiary conductors 97. That is, the additional input of the
secondary conductors 96 and the tertiary conductors 97 weights, or makes
more likely, the selection by the processor 18 of the indicia 34
associated with either the secondary conductor 96 and the tertiary
conductor 97.

[0059] For example, with the key pad 70 layout described above, the
letters "U" and "I" are both located on a single key 42 in the first set
40. The letter "U" is located on the left side of the key 42 and above
the secondary conductor 96 associated with that key 42. The letter "I" is
located on the right side of the key 42 and above the tertiary conductor
97 associated with that key 42. That is, the "U/I" key is a key 42
structured to engage the secondary conductors 96 and the tertiary
conductors 97 located on either side of the primary conductor 89.
Additionally, the key 42 may also be associated with the number "3."
Thus, this single key 42 has the first indicia 35 of the number "3", a
second indicia 36 of the letter "U" and a third indicia 37 of the letter
"L" For this example, this key 42 will be identified as the "3/U/I key."

[0060] By way of further example, assuming a user is beginning to create a
message in the handheld electronic device and there are no prior inputs,
when a user presses on the 3/U/I key 42, the processor 18 will provide an
output to the display 17. When the user moves the 3/U/I key 42 to the
first terminal position only the primary conductor 89 is engaged. The
disambiguation routine 21 may be adapted to associate this position with
the number "3" and the processor 18 will cause the number "3" to be
presented on the display 17. If, however, the 3/U/I key 42 is moved into
the second terminal position, the primary conductor 89 and the secondary
conductor 96 are engaged and the disambiguation routine 21 will weigh the
letter "U" as a more likely choice. Thus, the processor 18 will cause the
letter "U" to be presented on the display 17. Similarly, if the "3/U/I"
key 42 is moved. into the third terminal position, the primary conductor
89 and the tertiary conductor 97 are engaged and the disambiguation
routine 21 will weigh the letter "I" as a more likely choice. Thus, the
processor 18 will cause the letter "I" to be presented on the display 17.

[0061] The processor 18 may also he adapted to display the alternate
choices. That is, if the user moves the 3/U/I key 42 to the first
terminal position, the number "3" may be displayed as a first of three
choices and the letters "U" and "I" may be displayed as alternative
choices. As is known in the art, the user could use the dial 19 to
provide an input to the processor 18 indicating the alternate choices are
desired. Typically, this is accomplish by having a display 17 show a
indication, e.g., a highlight, associated with one of the choices, either
"3," "U," or "I." As the dial 1.9 is rotated, the highlight moves between
the choices and the user selects the desired. choice by engaging another
key, typically the "enter" key.

[0062] Additionally, as is known in the art, the disambiguation routine 21
is adapted to provide a list of frequent character choices on the display
based on combinations of input from the keys 32. For example, a user
initially selects the letter "Q." That is, the user depressed the "Q/W"
key and, as "W" is a more commonly used letter, the disambiguation
routine 21 would display the letter "W" with the letter "Q" as an
alternate choice. The user then would use the dial 19, or another
selection device, to choose the letter "Q" as the desired choice. Having
selected the letter "Q", the next key pressed is the "3/U/I" key 42. At
this point, the disambiguation routine 21 is likely to suggest the letter
combination of "QU" regardless of which terminal position the "3/U/I" key
42 is in as the letter "Q" is almost always followed by the letter "U".
Similarly, if the prior character is a number and the "3/U/I" key 42 is
pressed, the disambiguation routine 21 will suggest the number "3"
regardless of which terminal position the "3/U/I" key 42 is in because
very few common words incorporate numerical characters and, with the
exception of variables in mathematical expressions, few numbers include
letters. Again, the processor 18 may also be adapted to display the
alternate choices which may be selected using the dial 19.

[0063] Therefore, the method of using the handheld electronic device 10
described above, and as shown in FIG. 14 would include the steps of
detecting 200 a first input from a key 32 on the keypad 70, determining
202 that the first input resulted from engaging a secondary conductor 96,
and outputting 204 a list of characters corresponding to the indicia 34
on the selected key 32 and, where a secondary conductor 96 was engaged,
favoring outputting the character corresponding to the indicia 34
associated with the secondary conductor 96 by placing the character
corresponding to the indicia 34 associated with the secondary conductor
96 at a location in the output corresponding with a greater frequency or
priority, at the top of the list.

[0064] When the user engages a sequence of keys 32, the method includes
the following steps as well. First, determining 210 whether the first
input resulted from engaging a secondary conductor 96 and if so,
assigning additional weight to the character corresponding to the indicia
36 associated with the secondary conductor 96. Second, detecting 212 a
second input from a key 32 on the keypad 70. Third, determining 214
whether the second input resulted from engaging the secondary conductor
96 and, if so, assigning additional weight to the character corresponding
to the indicia 36 associated with the secondary conductor 96. Fourth,
utilizing 216 the disambiguation routine 21 to propose a likely
combination of characters selected from the indicia disposed on the first
and second input keys 32. Where either, or both, the first and second
input resulted from engaging the secondary conductor 96, the proposal is
weighted to favor a combination including the character corresponding to
the indicia 36 associated with the at least one secondary conductor 96.
Fifth, Outputting 218 a list of combined characters corresponding to
indicia 34 disposed on the first and second input keys 32 and, where a
secondary conductor 96 was engaged, favoring outputting the characters
indicia 36 corresponding to the indicia associated with the at least one
secondary conductor 96 by placing the combination of characters
corresponding to the indicia 36 associated with the at least one
secondary conductor 96 on the top of the list. Where the handheld
electronic device 10 includes a dial 19 structured to provide a selective
output, the method may include the further steps of detecting 220 the
rotation of said dial 19 and providing 222 an output corresponding to the
rotation that includes an indication highlighting one set of combined
characters on the list.

[0065] Additionally, as the first set 40 of keys 42 are preferably
structured to engage a tertiary conductor 97 as well, as shown in FIG.
15, the method may he said to include the additional following steps.
First, determining 230 whether the first input resulted from engaging a
secondary conductor 96 or a tertiary conductor 97 and, if so, assigning
additional weight to the character corresponding to the indicia
associated with the secondary conductor 96 or the tertiary conductor 97.
Second, detecting 232 a second input from a key 32 on the keypad 70.
Third, determining 234 whether the second input resulted from engaging a
secondary conductor 96 or a tertiary conductor 97 and, if so, assigning
additional weight to the character corresponding to the indicia 36, 37
associated with the secondary conductor 96 or the tertiary conductor 97.
Fourth, utilizing 236 the disambiguation routine 21 to propose a likely
combination of characters selected from the indicia 36, 37 disposed on
the first and second input keys 32 and, where either, or both, the first
and second input resulted from engaging a secondary conductor 96 or
tertiary conductor 97, the proposal is weighted to favor a combination
including the indicia 36, 37 associated with the secondary conductor 96
or tertiary conductor 97. Fifth, outputting 238 a list of combined
characters corresponding to indicia 36, 37 disposed on the first and
second input keys 32 and, where a secondary conductor 96 or tertiary
conductor 97 was engaged, favoring outputting the character corresponding
to the indicia 36, 37 associated with the secondary conductor 96 or
tertiary conductor 97 by placing the combination of characters
corresponding to the indicia 34 associated with the secondary conductor
96 or tertiary conductor 97 on the top of the list.

[0066] While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in
detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various
modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in
light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. For example, as shown
in FIGS. 16 and 17, the keys 32 may be disposed in rows and columns and
said first set 40 of keys 42 are all disposed in two said columns As with
the layout shown in FIG. 2, each of these keyboard assembly 12 layouts
may have a reduced width due to the fact that only selected keys 32 are
elongated. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant
to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of invention
which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and
all equivalents thereof